Current possibilities in immunotherapy of cancer

: Recent developments in biotechnology have resulted in a substantial renewal of cancer immunotherapy. In particular, the availability of murine monoclonal antibodies and recombinant biological response modifiers by genetic manipulation has made it possible to re-test abandoned concepts of adoptive humoral and cellular immunotherapy and to reconsider the biomodulation of the patient's immune system. Thus, the utilization of monoclonal antibodies to purge ex vivo autologous marrow from residual tumor cells has reached an advanced stage of clinical investigation in the field of autologous bone marrow transplantation for leukemia or lymphoma. Numerous promising clinical trials are being performed by the injection of monoclonal antibodies directed at tumor-associated antigens, coupled with cytotoxic agents (isotopes, drugs, toxins). In the area of recombinant technology, interferon-alpha has become the drug of choice for a particular form of chronic leukemia (hairy-cell leukemia). Interleukin-2 administered in conjunction with autologous activated lymphocytes has been shown to mediate significant anti-tumor activity in metastatic cancer patients. This review briefly describes recent clinical results obtained in cancer immunotherapy and discusses the potential of these new approaches.